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HANDKERCHIEF CORNER, NAMES, &C.

there are some things that I might do in a quiet way. Don’t you think so?”

She looked down into Gillian’s face with wistful earnestness as she spoke; and the young girl, lonely in her half orphanage, and searching for affection everywhere, rose up, and threw her arms around that drooping neck with a fervor that brought fresh tears into aunt Hetty’s voice.

“Don’t mind if I seem silent and stiff before folks,” she said, folding the young girl close in her arms, “it is my way; but if I can save you one pain by laying down my life, speak, and I’ll do it!”

Before Gillian could answer as her warm heart dictated, the arms that had so closely embraced her fell away, and her aunt glided from the chamber, shadow-like, as she had entered.

And this was Gillian’s first night under the maternal roof. Perhaps the first deep feelings that she had ever experienced sprang into existence during those few hours. It seemed as if her father, too, was haunted with unrest; for, all night long, his step was heard by the master of the house, who slept beneath his room, walking to and fro.

(to be continued).

HANDKERCHIEF

CORNER, NAMES, &C.